Auditor Pete Blair presented his firm's audit of Delta County's financial position as of Dec. 31, 2017, at the June 25 county commissioners' meeting.

Blair commended the county staff members primarily responsible for financial oversight and record keeping of the county's resources: Margaret Davey, accounting director; Suesan Scheetz, payroll administrator; and Leona Anderson, human services deputy director. The three sat with Blair during their discussion with the commissioners.

Blair noted the county's net position may serve over time as a useful indicator of a government's financial position.

One significant portion of Delta County's net position (9.8 percent) represents the unrestricted net position of $15.7 million, which may be used to meet the county's ongoing obligation to citizens and creditors.

The largest portion of the county's net position (88.1 percent) reflects its investment in capital assets, including land, construction in progress, buildings, machinery, equipment and public infrastructure, which includes the county's road and bridge systems. These capital assets are used to provide services to citizens; consequently, they are not available for future spending.

Governmental Activities

Governmental activities increased Delta County's net position by $2,312,869 in 2017. A key factor for this increase was the successful grant awards that required local cash matches. Expenses decreased in the Road and Bridge department primarily due to fewer major construction projects.

Business Type Activities

The county's two business type activities -- landfill operations and E911 -- increased net position by $262,576 in 2017.

General Fund

The General Fund is the primary operating fund of Delta County government. It accounts for many of the county's core services, such as public safety, planning, tax collections, property assessment, recording of public records and elections. As of Dec. 31, 2017, the General Fund balance was $3.9 million, $148,904 more than the previous year.

Actual expenditures were 2.8 percent below anticipated budget and 2017 revenues were 6.8 percent more than anticipated budget, resulting in an increase of $149,904 in General Fund reserves in 2017.

Human Services Fund

The human services fund is mandated by state statute. This fund accounts for the local share of many federal and state public welfare programs. The fund carried a $2,159 balance at the end of 2017, which is 96.8 percent less than in 2016.

Road & Bridge Fund

The Road and Bridge Fund is also state mandated. The fund records costs related to county road and bridge construction and maintenance. The Road and Bridge Fund had $5,266,405 in fund balance at the end of 2017, of which $2,290,679 is reserved for inventories. The fund balance was $109,111 more than the previous year.

Capital Improvements Fund

The Capital Improvements Fund accounts for capital improvements of the county. This fund is funded by 75 percent of a one-cent county sales tax, approved in 1982, and it is restricted to capital improvement projects and expenditures. The Capital Improvements Fund had a $5,963,151 fund balance at the end of 2017. This amount was $468,895 more than the previous year.

Capital Assets

Delta County's investment in capital assets for its governmental and business type activities as of Dec. 31, 2017, totals $141.2 million (net of accumulated depreciation). This investment includes all land, construction in progress, building, machinery and equipment, as well as infrastructure. The total increase in investment in capital assets for the 2017 fiscal year was 1.4 percent.

Major capital asset events during 2017 included major road construction improvements and $669,523 in heavy equipment and vehicle purchases.

Long Term Debt

Delta County currently has no long term obligations at this time.

Additional information may be obtained by contacting Robbie LeValley, county administrator, at the courthouse, telephone 970-874-2102, or by email, rlevalley@deltacounty.com.

Two of the four marijuana questions on the November ballot were narrowly approved by voters in the City of Delta. Measure 2F allows the establishment of medical marijuana centers. Measure 2H permits the establishment of medical marijuana cultivation, testing, research and manufacturing facilities.